Over 40% of uveitis cases in elderly patients are idiopathic.
Epidemiological characterization of uveitis in the elderly population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Out of 10,829 retrieved citations, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Infectious etiologies included herpetic uveitis (pooled proportion 11.40%, 95% CI 7.45-17.04%), cytomegalovirus (3.09%, 95% CI 1.01-9.06%) and tuberculosis (5.10%, 95% CI 2.58-9.83%).
Non-infectious causes, such as sarcoidosis (5.21%, 95% CI 2.78-9.55%) and HLA-B27-associated uveitis (6.05%, 95% CI 3.35-10.71%), also contributed substantially.
High heterogeneity (I 2 > 75%) was noted across most etiologies, likely reflecting variable study populations, diagnostic criteria, and geographic factors.
Our meta-analysis underscores the diverse etiological landscape of uveitis in the elderly, with over 40% of cases remaining idiopathic. High heterogeneity highlights regional variations and diagnostic challenges.
Standardized evaluation protocols and improved access to advanced investigations may help reduce the burden of undiagnosed cases.
Within Asia, the only continent contributing multiple studies, subgroup analysis reduced heterogeneity for some etiologies, suggesting that regional factors contribute to the observed variability.